Kelly Carlson from Nip/Tuck reveals why she left Hollywood behind

Kelly Carlson had a thriving career as a blonde bombshell in Hollywood.

The 44-year-old looker was on the hit plastic surgery- themed TV show Nip/Tuck from Ryan Murphy and also appeared on Melrose Place and worked in the films The Marine and Made Of Honor. 

But around 2010 the siren up and left the business, which not many people do, and she has no regrets, the star said during an Instagram Live interview.

During the video the beauty, who still looks incredible with her signature short blonde hair, reveals why she made the move from Los Angeles to San Diego.

‘Nothing bad happened or anything like that. I loved it, loved my life up there,’ said the star who often posed for Maxim magazine.

‘Why am I not acting? Not for any reason, really. Just that we live far away,’ began the star, who still looks every inch a star.

‘I need to be in L.A. and we’re not for my husband’s work, which is down — he’s in the Navy, so we’re way down in southern San Diego. And that’s kind of it.’

Her spouse is Dan Stanchfield.

The blonde has been very private about her marriage to Dan. They wed in a private ceremony with only a few of their close friends and family members.

Kelly added that Dan is ‘the star of the family’ and she works as his manager.

He also works as a ‘survival instructor.’ He was with Kelly during the interview and confirmed that is her current occupation. 

‘It was just a decision, right, so that’s all,’ said Carlson.

In addition to Nip/Tuck she was also seen on Everwood, CSI, CSI: Miami, Monk and Castle. 

The star also said there is a chance she could return to performing.

‘Maybe I’ll go back one day, I don’t know,’ she said.

‘I’m open. I’m kind of a free spirit. I kind of am, and I’m kind of not. But I’m always up for new experiences. 

‘And Dan is such a great guy, I’m not gonna say no. Yeah, you don’t say no to this kind. No, no. You make adjustments.

‘And it’s not that he asked me to leave. He didn’t at all. It was like I saw a lot of value in what he was doing and so I said we have to go do it. And so we moved.’

But she has come back in a way: the star has a part in the movie The Reason, based on the William Sirls book.

It follows a small-town pastor, his wife and their sick child as a mysterious man is sent to give them hope. Louis Gossett Jr. also stars.

The film is listed as having a 2020 release date. 

She also touched on how her character Kimber on Nip/Tuck, which ran from 2003 until 2010, was killed off.  

‘Was I upset [Kimber] was killed off? I mean, of course, a little bit,’ she admitted. ‘But I also knew she needed somewhat of a dramatic departure.’ 

But she could have come back. ‘I will say this: she didn’t leave the show, because she came back in dream form. And you know in TV, if you don’t see a body, they can always come back. Not that Ryan had any plans of returning at all.’

And she added that if the show comes back, she should be on it. 

‘I hope this doesn’t sound arrogant, and I’m sorry if it does. … I think it would be a mistake not to ever bring Kimber back if they did that,’ said Carlson. ‘I do. Yeah, that’s my ego a little bit. But I don’t think Ryan would do that. So, if that makes you feel better. Too many people were invested in Kimber and Christian.’